Two East Timorese civilians were killed during a protest in Dili Friday over the dismissal of nearly 600 soldiers, a hospital director said. Several thousand protestors took to the streets for the third time this week in support of the soldiers, who were sacked last month after they deserted their barracks complaining of discrimination and poor working conditions.
Some marchers, wielding planks and steel pipes, smashed windows outside Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri's office building. AFP also witnessed marchers setting fire to five cars, before police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd. At least one shop was also burned.